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Monday, November 24, 2014

Marysville Shooting is the latest in a series of school shootings

Chris Brady

Staff Writer

In the past few years there has been a rash of inexplicable school shootings resulting in the loss of numerous innocent lives. The most recent case of this took place in the Marysville-Pilchuck High School cafeteria, ending in the death of two friends, and wounding four others. The shooting took place last friday, when Jaylen Fryberg texted five of his friends to meet him for lunch. Once they were situated in the school cafeteria, Fryberg opened fire, eventually taking his own life. The weapon was illegally obtained and registered to a relative’s name. There are still many questions surrounding Fryberg’s motive or how he came to have the .40 caliber handgun.

This most recent shooting raises questions about gun laws and if they are effective. The investigation is likely to take months, with no sign of a note or any clues as to what prompted the attack. Most of these school shootings seem to follow a pattern: Fryberg was considered a “golden child”, he was well liked by all and a member of the football team. A week before the incident, he was crowned freshman homecoming prince, and many believed he would become leader of the Tulalip Tribes. The school is small, and close-knit, all involved in the incident were such close friends they were almost family. Some speculate he was having trouble with a girl, but nobody knows for sure.

A teacher in a nearby office heard the shots and came running immediately. She saw the kids on the ground and ran toward the shooter. At that point, Fryberg committed suicide. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Marysville School District provided meetings to inform parents of what happened, and provide support for families.